Courtesy: Solomon Star News


Northern United crowned Futsal Champs

Monday, 09 January 2012

by Carlos Aruafu

Northern United has won the Honiara City Council’s (HCC) Futsal Championship for the men’s open category after edging a determined Brisolona side 5-3 in an entertaining final on Saturday afternoon at the Honiara City Council (HCC) Multipurpose Hall.

Dominated by former Kurukuru players both teams were favourites especially after defeating Santos, Vikings and Matariu West in the quarter and semi finals earlier last week.

Brisolona’s Elliot Ragomo, the Kurukuru captain turned on some of the flare in the first half, setting up team mate beach soccer sensation, McPhillip Aisa for the opening goal.

Despite trailing by a goal Northern United maintained their form, preventing a second goal from Brisolona and searching for an equalizer which seems to come so close at times.

Just before the halftime break Northen United found the equalizer when Stanley Puairana turned a cross into his own net much to the displeasure of his goalkeeper.

The second half saw both teams battle it out much stronger compared to the first as they struggled for a goal for their respective side to take the lead.

McPhilip extended the lead to 2-1 for Brisolona after a speedy combination with Ragomo and Laua just minutes into the second half.

Sensing that their lead was slipping out of their hands Northern United reset the game and Jeffery Bule made it 2-2 after finding a loose ball in front of the gate as a result of careless ball handling by Brisolona’s keeper.

Jack Wetney then took the lead 3-2 for United for the first time in the match after stylishly poking the ball between the Brisolona keeper’s legs from a one on one confrontation.

Just before full time, Mcphilip scored his hat trick to equalize 3-3 forcing both teams to enter extra time.

Egeta put Northern United back in front early in the first half of extra time from a long range shot, so fast and powerful that even the referees were confuse if it was inside or not as it hits the inner post and bounced back.

Brisolona’s commanding performance from the first half was nowhere to be seen and despite the active support from the crowd their hopes faded when Egeta scored his double making it five for United.

With time slipping away Brisolona pushed harder to get back in the game but hopes faded away when James Egeta extended the lead to 5-3.

Brisolona made some attempts but to their dismay their hope for the last stroke of luck fell short to the referee’s final whistle.

Prior to the men’s open category grand final, Vikings Blue made a superb futsal display defeating Kola Kings 4-0 to win the junior U13 and U14 category’s final.

The winners of both categories grand finals received a cash prize of $3 000.

For the second prize, Brisolona for the mens open and Kola Kings for the junior category received $2 000 each. Vikings and Rove West $1 000 each for the third prize and Matariu West and Island Drifters $500 each for fourth prize.




Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com